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Start Preamble
July 2, 2014.

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1)[1]
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”) [2]
and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,[3]
notice is hereby given that, on July 1, 2014, NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “Exchange” or “NYSE Arca”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by the self-regulatory organization. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.

I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of the Substance of the Proposed Rule Change

The Exchange proposes to amend the NYSE Arca Options Fee Schedule (“Fee Schedule”) relating to Manual Executions by Firms and Broker Dealers. The Exchange proposes to implement the fee change effective July 1, 2014. The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's Web site at www.nyse.com, at the principal office of the Exchange, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

In its filing with the Commission, the self-regulatory organization included statements concerning the purpose of, and basis for, the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of those statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant parts of such statements.

1. Purpose

The purpose of this filing is to modify the Exchange's fees on Firm and Broker Dealer Manual Executions to provide a lower rate in certain select symbols.

Currently, a Firm or Broker Dealer order executed Manually on the Floor of the Exchange that is not facilitating a Customer is charged $0.25 per contract.[4]

The Exchange is proposing a rate of $0.12 per contract for Firm and Broker Dealer orders for select symbols that are active issues with narrow spreads and a competitive distribution of market share among the exchanges.[5]
Initially, the Exchange proposes to include only options transactions in VXX (iPath S&P 500 VIX Short Term Futures Exchange Traded Note) in the select symbols, although the Exchange may add or remove symbols from the eligible symbol list with subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”).[6]

Start Printed Page 39030

2. Statutory Basis

The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act,[7]
in general, and furthers the objectives of Sections 6(b)(4) and (5) of the Act,[8]
in particular, because it provides for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other charges among its members, issuers and other persons using its facilities and does not unfairly discriminate between customers, issuers, brokers or dealers.

The Exchange believes that the proposed special rate for Firm and Broker Dealer orders in select symbols is reasonable as it is within the general range of transaction fees for manual transactions. The proposed special rate for select symbols is reasonably designed to increase the competitiveness of the Exchange with other options exchanges that also offer increased incentives for higher volume symbols.

It is also not unfairly discriminatory to provide for a reduced fee for Firm and Broker Dealer orders in select symbols to attract business in certain issues to the Floor. Firms and Broker Dealers are generally represented on the Floor by Floor Brokers and providing a reduced fee in certain symbols incents them to have their orders executed on the Trading Floor where other participants are already present. Further, the proposal is not unfairly discriminatory in its treatment of Firms and Broker Dealers vis-à-vis Market Makers because Firms and Broker Dealers have their orders brought to the Floor for execution whereas Market Makers are providing liquidity for the orders. Market Makers are present and obligated to respond to a call for markets, and in return, Market Makers are charged a lower fee in all Manual executions, with the exception being select symbols. In addition, the Exchange believes that by providing a lower fee to Firm and Broker Dealer orders brought to the Floor in a highly competitive issue, Market Makers are provided a greater opportunity to interact with order flow, which in turn benefits market participants.

The proposed fee change is also not unfairly discriminatory because the reduced fee is available to any Firm or Broker Dealer.

Additionally, the proposed fee is an equitable allocation of fees because the intent is to create an incentive for non-Market Maker order flow to the Exchange, which will provide additional opportunities for Market Makers and other participants alike.

Finally, the Exchange believes that it is subject to significant competitive forces, as described below in the Exchange's statement regarding the burden on competition.

For these reasons, the Exchange believes that the proposal is consistent with the Act.

B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

In accordance with Section 6(b)(8) of the Act,[9]
the Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The Exchange believes that the proposed fee change reduces the burden on competition because it incents Firm and Broker Dealers to have their orders brought to the Floor by offering a competitive rate in active issues.

The Exchange also believes that the proposed fee change will increase competition among exchanges where market share is very fairly spread out amongst five of the twelve exchanges, but where, in this active issue, one exchange has a disproportionate amount (30%) of market share. The Exchange believes that the proposed fee change may provide a competitive incentive to market participants. The Exchange notes that it operates in a highly competitive market in which market participants can readily favor competing venues, and providing a reduced fee in certain select symbols for Firm and Broker Dealer orders that participate in Manual Executions allows OTP firms to attract additional business which benefits all participants. In such an environment, the Exchange must continually review, and consider adjusting, its fees and credits to remain competitive with other exchanges. For the reasons described above, the Exchange believes that the proposed rule change reflects this competitive environment.

C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others

No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the proposed rule change.

III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action

The foregoing rule change is effective upon filing pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)[10]
of the Act and subparagraph (f)(2) of Rule 19b-4[11]
thereunder, because it establishes a due, fee, or other charge imposed by the Exchange.

At any time within 60 days of the filing of such proposed rule change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings under Section 19(b)(2)(B) [12]
of the Act to determine whether the proposed rule change should be approved or disapproved.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:

Paper Comments

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSEArca-2014-74. This file number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commission's Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/​rules/​sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and Start Printed Page 39031printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549 on official business days between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSEArca-2014-74, and should be submitted on or before July 30, 2014.

Start Signature

For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.[13]

6.
VXX is a Penny Pilot Issue in the top 10 by Customer volume from January 2, 2014 through May 31, 2014, with market share spread fairly evenly amongst five of the 12 exchanges, and with 15% of transactions by contract volume involving a Firm. At least one other option exchange (ISE) lists VXX among its select symbols. See supra n. 5.